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11 November 2025 - Early Years: Improving Support for Children and Families - Oral evidence

Committee Education Committee
Inquiry Early Years: Improving Support for Children and Families

Tuesday 11 November 2025

Start times: 9:30am (private) 10:00am (public)


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Education Committee holds first session of new early years sector inquiry 

The Education Committee holds the first evidence session of its new inquiry into how the Government can improve the support given to children and families during the early years. 

Meeting details

At 10:00am: Oral evidence
Inquiry Early Years: Improving Support for Children and Families
Co-Director for Early Years, Inequalities and Wellbeing at Education Policy Institute
Head at Coram Family and Childcare
Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood at The University of East London (UEL)
Early Years Lead at Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)

In this session, MPs will question experts from the Education Policy Institute, Coram, the University of East London and the Education Endowment Fund. 

The witnesses are likely to be asked how the Government could achieve its goal of increasing the proportion of 4-5-year-olds whose development has reached ‘school readiness’, and what reasons there may be for significant numbers of young children not reaching this developmental stage. 

There may also be questions about how the ‘school readiness’ metrics should apply to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and groups such as children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The cross-party Committee is also likely to take an interest in progress with developing Best Start Practice Hubs, the role of Ofsted in inspecting early years settings, and how the Government’s childcare entitlements, and private settings, could be more accessible to families with low incomes. 

Location

The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

How to attend